Morris: Once uncommon dove now being seen in the Bay Area

DEAR JOAN: A pair of birds have been showing up at my feeder and I am sure they are Eurasian collared doves, yet, my antiquated bird book indicates that this dove has not migrated this far west.

If this is correct, or am I delusional?

John Rowland

Discovery Bay

DEAR JOHN: Good news, you are as sane as I am. Well, I think it's good news.

The birds you are seeing are Eurasian collared doves. The distinctive collar at the neck is unmistakable. Not that long ago, the birds were unheard of on the West Coast; even more recently, sightings were rare in California. But no more.

Eurasian collared dove. (Courtesy of John Rowland)

Going from "unheard of" to "tripping over" is a pretty nifty trick for birds that aren't migratory. Experts describe them as "strongly dispersive." Another expert I spoke to was a bit more blunt, calling them sex addicts. He may have a valid point.

The collared doves aren't picky about where they breed, and they routinely produce three to four broods a year. If there is an ample food supply, then they are in the mood. After mating, the female lays up to two eggs in a typically scant dove nest of sticks. She incubates the eggs at night, dad takes over in the day. Incubation takes 14 to 18 days, and the babies fledge (leave the nest) in about 19 days.

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The birds are native to Europe and Asia, but were introduced in the Bahamas in the 1970s. From there, they made their way to Florida in the early 1980s and continued what some have called an invasive trek across the country. The greatest populations are along the Gulf States, but they are becoming more common everywhere, including Alaska.

DEAR JOAN: I live in a relatively rural area but my backyard is fenced. We have a young coyote showing up, and I am concerned he could jump my 5 foot fence and attack my small dogs.

We clap our hands and he takes off, but if I am not home at the time, will he be bold enough to do this?

Cindy Orth

Morgan Hill

DEAR CINDY: There is a danger, but several factors will determine if it's a serious threat.

I place it fairly high because you are seeing the coyote during the daytime. Coyotes prefer to hunt at night, and usually only do so during the day when there is a shortage of food. A hungry coyote is a determined coyote.

Cats are the most at risk to be taken by coyotes -- a reason to keep cats safe indoors -- but coyotes are opportunistic eaters. They have been known to snatch dogs weighing 25 pounds and less. They normally won't approach larger dogs unless they believe their den or territory is being threatened.

Coyotes are somewhat wary of humans, although that is changing. They are more brazen when hunting in packs.

The good news is that they aren't good jumpers. They certainly can't clear a 6-foot fence, and I imagine they would have trouble with your 5-footer. But if you could increase the height by a foot, your dogs would be even safer.

As you've already experienced, loud noises drive them away. You could install a motion detector that would activate some sort of sound.

Of course, the simplest solution would be to keep your dogs indoors when you aren't there.

If you are leaving food out for the dogs, the coyote may actually be more interested in that than in the dogs. If you have any food out, take it in.

Remember this

It's getting hot out there. Make sure your pets have plenty of water and shade, and never leave them in a car, even for a few minutes.